More than a few members of TTAG’s Armed Intelligentsia stash guns around the home (rather than home carry). As a Second Amendment absolutist, I’m not prepared to tell any American what guns they can keep and bear and how they must (as opposed to should) store them. But —
A Woodbridge man is in jail after police found several loaded weapons within reach of two small children in a home, Prince William police spokesperson Officer Nathan Probus said.
Joshua Edward Jeffery, 31, of the 3600 block of Bracknell Drive (above), faces two counts of child endangerment and one count of reckless handling of a firearm.
Yeah I know: “reckless endangerment.” insidenova.com tells the tale:
Officers responded at 10 a.m. Saturday to Bracknell Drive for a report that a man was waving a gun in the air. A witness told police that the man appeared to be intoxicated and was walking outside his home with a rifle.
When officers made contact with Jeffery inside his home, they saw several loaded guns and ammunition accessible to two children, a 2-year-old girl and a 5-year-old boy, Probus said.
OK, so this isn’t a story about a law-abiding gun owner secreting guns around the house getting arrested for child endangerment. But it does highlight two important points.
1. Don’t let police into your home without a search warrant — no matter what the reason for their visit
Regardless of hidden firearms, you may have firearms-related material or other items around the house (e.g., magazines) that could be used against you. Talk to the police outside your front door.
2. Think again about leaving hidden (but not secured) guns in your home
Of course, you should instruct your children in firearms safety. And yes, some children can then be trusted around unsecured firearms. But friends, service provider or guests may find hidden guns. Worse, they may report you to the police.
Some states have safe storage laws for firearms. For anyone who knows how to read the Second Amendment, for anyone who wants to be prepared for a home invasion, these laws are an abomination. But home carry is still your best bet, no matter where you live or who lives with you.